Self-compacting concrete composites modified with nanoparticles: A comprehensive review, analysis and modeling

Abstract

Nanotechnology is bringing unique performance to materials, and during the last two decades, significant effort has been made to include nanoparticles (NPs) into self-compacting concrete (SCC) to increase performance and produce SCC with better features. In civil engineering, NPs are promising materials, and some researchers have employed NPs into SCC, aiming to modify fresh, mechanical, and durability characteristics. Concrete's durability and sustainability are becoming increasingly essential in the construction sector, and SCC has generated much attention in this regard. In the current comprehensive review paper, the effects of different NP types on the most essential fresh, mechanical, durability, and microstructure characteristics of various SCC composites were reviewed, analyzed, and discussed in detail. In this regard, 76 previously published papers were used to create an extensive database that includes the main features of SCC composites modified with different NPs. In addition, the main mechanisms behind the influence of different NP types on the properties of SCC composites were examined. Past progress, recent drifts, current obstacles, and the benefits and drawbacks of these SCC composites enhanced with NPs were also highlighted. Since nano-silica (NS) was the most used material among all types of NPs, the main section of this study was devoted to proposing different models to predict the compressive strength of SCC composites modified with NS. Based on the results reached in this study, due to a significant enhancement through improving strength, durability, microstructure, and producing additional C–S–H gel, the addition of NPs can have a promising future to develop high-performance SCC composites to be implemented by the construction industry efficiently.